Bala Kanda — Sarga 12

ततः काले बहुतिथे कस्मिंश्चित् सुमनोहरे। वसन्ते समनुप्राप्ते राज्ञो यष्टुं मनोऽभवत्॥

Then after a long while, when the charming spring had appeared on the earth, the king conceived the desire of celebrating the sacrifice.

Bala Kanda 12.1

ततः प्रणम्य शिरसा तं विप्रं देववर्णिनम्। यज्ञाय वरयामास संतानार्थं कुलस्य च।२।।

Then bowing down the head before the Vipra effulgent like a celestial, he appointed him to undertake the ceremony, for the purpose of obtaining offspring to perpetuate his line.

Bala Kanda 12.2

तथेति च स राजानमुवाच वसुधाधिपम्। सम्भाराः सम्भ्रियन्तां ते तुरगश्च विमुच्यताम्॥ सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम्।

Then that Brāhmana said to the lord of the earth, the king, So be it! Get order the necessary provisions procured, free the horse set, and prepare a sacrificial ground on the north bank of the Sarayd.

Bala Kanda 12.3

ततोऽब्रवीनृपो वाक्यं ब्राह्मणान् वेदपारगान्॥ सुमन्त्रावाहय क्षिप्रमृत्विजो ब्रह्मवादिनः। सुयज्ञं वामदेवं च जाबालिमथ काश्यपम्॥ पुरोहितं वसिष्ठं च ये चान्ये द्विजसत्तमाः।

Then the king spoke to Sumantra, saying, O Sumantra, do you summon speedily Brāhmaṇas versed in the Vedas and priests professing the Vedānta philosophy, Suyajña, and Vāmadeva, and Jabali, and Kasyapa, and the priest Vasistha, together with other excellent twice-born ones.

Bala Kanda 12.4

ततः सुमन्त्रस्त्वरितं गत्वा त्वरितविक्रमः॥ समानयत् स तान् सर्वान् समस्तान् वेदपारगान्।

Thereupon Sumantra eridowed with activity, bestirring himself, summoned all those versed in the Vedas.

Bala Kanda 12.5

तान् पूजयित्वा धर्मात्मा राजा दशरथस्तदा॥ धर्मार्थसहितं युक्तं श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रवीत्।

Then, honouring them duly, the virtuous king Dasaratha spoke to them these amiable words, consistent with duty and interest.

Bala Kanda 12.6

मम तातप्यमानस्य पुत्रार्थं नास्ति वै सुखम्॥ पुत्रार्थं हयमेधेन यक्ष्यामीति मतिर्मम।

Aggrieved on account of a son, I have no happiness on earth, and, therefore, I have intended to celebrate a horse-sacrifice.

Bala Kanda 12.7

तदहं यष्टुमिच्छामि हयमेधेन कर्मणा॥ ऋषिपुत्रप्रभावेण कामान् प्राप्स्यामि चाप्यहम्।

So, I would like to perform a horse-sacrifice. And by the grace of the saint's son, I shall obtain my desire.

Bala Kanda 12.8

ततः साध्विति तद्वाक्यं ब्राह्मणाः प्रत्यपूजयन्॥ वसिष्ठप्रमुखाः सर्वे पार्थिवस्य मुखाच्च्युतम्।

Thereupon, the Brāhmaṇas with Vasiştha at their head honoured the words that fell from the king's lips, saying, Well!

Bala Kanda 12.9

ऋष्यशृङ्गपुरोगाश्च प्रत्यूचुर्नृपतिं तदा॥ सम्भाराः सम्भ्रियन्तां ते तुरगश्च विमुच्यताम्। सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम्॥

The Brāhmaṇas headed by Rsyaśộnga addressed the king, saying, Do you arrange for the provisions, loose the horse, and prepare the sacrificial ground on the north bank of the Sarayū river!

Bala Kanda 12.10

सर्वथा प्राप्स्यसे पुत्रांश्चतुरोऽमितविक्रमान्। यस्य ते धार्मिकी बुद्धिरियं पुत्रार्थमागता॥

Since you purpose so virtuously for obtaining offspring, you shall obtain four sons of immeasurable prowess.

Bala Kanda 12.11

ततः प्रीतोऽभवद् राजा श्रुत्वा तु द्विजभाषितम्। अमात्यानब्रवीद् राजा हर्षेणेदं शुभाक्षरम्॥

Hearing those words of the regenerate ones, the king was exceedingly delighted. And cheerfully he spoke these auspicious words to his courtiers.

Bala Kanda 12.12

गुरूणां वचनाच्छीघ्रं सम्भाराः सम्भ्रियन्तु मे। समर्थाधिष्ठितश्चाश्वः सोपाध्यायो विमुच्यताम्॥

In accordance with the directions of my spiritual guides, do you speedily procure these provisions, loose the horse well protected, and followed by a priest.

Bala Kanda 12.13

सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम्। शान्तयश्चाभिवर्धन्तां यथाकल्पं यथाविधि ॥

And prepare the sacrificial ground on the north bank of the Sarayu. And perform the ceremonies capable of securing the rites from disturbance.

Bala Kanda 12.14

शक्यः कर्तुमयं यज्ञः सर्वेणापि महीक्षिता। नापराधो भवेत् कष्टो यद्यस्मिन् क्रतुसत्तमे॥

Surely every king is competent to perform this sacrifice yet care must be taken that no default occurs in it.

Bala Kanda 12.15

छिद्रं हि मृगयन्त्येते विद्वांसो ब्रह्मराक्षसाः। विधिहीनस्य यक्षस्य सद्यः कर्ता विनश्यति ॥

For flaws in this foremost of sacrifices are watched by learned Brahma-Rākşasas. And should it come to be celebrated in violation of the ordinance, ihe performer thereof shall meet with instant destruction.

Bala Kanda 12.16

तद् यथा विधिपूर्वं मे क्रतुरेष समाप्यते। तथा विधानं क्रियतां समर्थाः करणेष्विह॥

And do you so order that this sacrifice of mine may be completed according to the prescribed ritual.

Bala Kanda 12.17

तथेति च ततः सर्वे मन्त्रिणः प्रत्यपूजयन्। पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य तद्वाक्यं यथाज्ञप्तमकुर्वत ॥

Thereupon honouring those words of the king, the ministers did as ordered.

Bala Kanda 12.18

ततो द्विजास्ते धर्मज्ञमस्तुवन् पार्थिवर्षभम्। अनुज्ञातास्ततः सर्वे पुनर्जग्मुर्यथागतम्॥

And having eulogised the king knowing duty, the twice-born ones, with the Monarch's leave, departed for their respective quarters.

Bala Kanda 12.19

गतानां तेषु विप्रेषु मन्त्रिणस्तान् नराधिपः। विसर्जयित्वा स्वं वेश्म प्रविवेश महामतिः॥

When the Vipras had gone, the mightyminded lord of men dismissing his counsellors, entered his place. When the Vipras had gone, the mightyminded lord of men dismissing his counsellors, entered his place.

Bala Kanda 12.20